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So I'm getting back into playing my tyranids now and am so pleased with the way they play. I've come across one pretty annoying problem though, moving the physical models.

I'm mostly playing swarm lists with about 30 termagants, and anywhere from 40-80 genestealers. I haven't even broken out my gargoyles in 8th because of the problem I'm having mostly with the genestealers.

How do you guys go about moving such large numbers of models (Fairly) without taking an exorbitant amount of time. I've tried model by model (especially because about half of my stealers are the space hulk ones so not very uniform) and my movement takes longer than my opponents turn. They're annoying models to bunch up and move even though theyre some of my favorite units in the game.

I'm looking for what you guys do to save time when you play large model counts, but still playing fairly not stealing extra inches and all. If anyone has any special tips on wonky delicate models like the damn gargoyles I'd really appreciate some insight. None of my group have complained so far but its really getting under my skin and I want to be a better player for the group, you know? I have no interest in using the old school model trays like warhammer fantasy, just impractical in this vast world of terrain dense boards that I usually play on, although thinking about it, possibly single line trays may have to be considered

Movement Trays. If any1 else has any reccomendations of which ones I would love to know that aswell.

Play by eye. Measure the first, measure a model somewhere in the middle, measure the last and fill in the gaps. You should be able to see 6" well enough that there shouldn't be gaps. On the charge, measure X inches into the charged target, measure which model will be the last in the inch of combat range, move accordingly. 3" consolidate is easy. Assume the base is an inch and it move it its length away from where it started. 25mm bases are a little less than an inch wide so you have plenty of room for error.

I have not played my Nids in 8th yet though I was hoping movement would be speed up somewhat because I am not concerned with blast and large blast templetes so not spending time making sure they are 2 inches apart.

I realize it still take a bit of finesse to not be in LOS though otherwise I planned on just shoving them up the board, lol.

https://tectoniccraftstudios.com/collections/movement-trays/products/custom-round-base-skirmisher-trays

Litko sells them as well. And if you're feeling adventeruos, its pretty easy to take two pieces of balsa wood, cut 25mm holes in one with a holesaw, and then glue them together.

Movement trays are gonna become a problem when you come up against terrain and your tray is balanced at a 45 decree angle with your dudes sliding down like it's fun day at Wet N' Wild. Easiest solution is measure the corner models in a unit, and the central one. Move them, then fill in the line with the rest of your guys. And as said above, When measuring for charges, move your front rank into contact or whatever and them measure out who else in the squad can get close enough to attack and move them into range. The rest of your guys, just shove them at the back wherever, doesn't really matter at that point.

With how fast chaff and stuff dies in this edition I don't think being so hung up on model movement is worth it. you're 30 man chaff unit you painstakingly positioned last turn is completely wiped out this turn...

Demantiae wrote:
Movement trays are gonna become a problem when you come up against terrain and your tray is balanced at a 45 decree angle with your dudes sliding down like it's fun day at Wet N' Wild. Easiest solution is measure the corner models in a unit, and the central one. Move them, then fill in the line with the rest of your guys. And as said above, When measuring for charges, move your front rank into contact or whatever and them measure out who else in the squad can get close enough to attack and move them into range. The rest of your guys, just shove them at the back wherever, doesn't really matter at that point.

With how fast chaff and stuff dies in this edition I don't think being so hung up on model movement is worth it. you're 30 man chaff unit you painstakingly positioned last turn is completely wiped out this turn...

Depends on the style of try and the type of terrain. And you can always take them out of the tray when that comes up. Its no more effort to than moving them normally. And why spend all that time measuring and moving guys if they're just going to die as chaff anyway?

Reading about this is giving me flashbacks to 8th wfb, which while enjoyable for those who had armies, was devastating for attracting new players.

"I have to buy HOW many models to start playing?"
"Wait, I spent six weeks putting those together and painting them, and you just killed them all in one turn."

I'm curious if we'll see anyone start to go to a modular based army. In historical games a lot of gamers are using a 3-2-1 system, where they base large units on bases of three figures, two figures, and 1 figure. This basically ends up allowing any mathematical combination to be removed/added, etc.

This would be wildly against tournament rules, etc., but I'd be tempted if I can any kind of horde armour. Use 40-50mm circles or ovals and base that way. Agree not to cheese it out (and stack four bodies within 25mm, allowing them to all attack in close combat etc.).

I don't think it's a proper solution, but I wonder if we'll see anyone do it.

My friend just shoves all his 'gaunts up the board in a big jumble, then smooths them out so all of their bases are touching the board.

I move the ends of my conscript line, then fill in the middle.

Demantiae wrote:
Movement trays are gonna become a problem when you come up against terrain and your tray is balanced at a 45 decree angle with your dudes sliding down like it's fun day at Wet N' Wild. Easiest solution is measure the corner models in a unit, and the central one. Move them, then fill in the line with the rest of your guys. And as said above, When measuring for charges, move your front rank into contact or whatever and them measure out who else in the squad can get close enough to attack and move them into range. The rest of your guys, just shove them at the back wherever, doesn't really matter at that point.

With how fast chaff and stuff dies in this edition I don't think being so hung up on model movement is worth it. you're 30 man chaff unit you painstakingly positioned last turn is completely wiped out this turn...

Put a sheet magnet on the bottom of the tray holes and magnets on the bases of your miniature. With most miniatures being plastic now, you can hold your movement tray upside down without anyone falling off.

Magnetic trays. of 5

dont worry too much about fiddly terrain unless you are going to be very anal about it then take them off for those situations.

otherwise what really maters is the very front line (for the most part) since you can take casualties from wherever.

 Inquisitor Lord Katherine wrote:
My friend just shoves all his 'gaunts up the board in a big jumble, then smooths them out so all of their bases are touching the board.

I move the ends of my conscript line, then fill in the middle.

Are they unpainted? I'd be worried about ruining even my cruddy paint jobs doing that. Let alone breaking my plastic jewels of wonder.

 argonak wrote:

Demantiae wrote:
Movement trays are gonna become a problem when you come up against terrain and your tray is balanced at a 45 decree angle with your dudes sliding down like it's fun day at Wet N' Wild. Easiest solution is measure the corner models in a unit, and the central one. Move them, then fill in the line with the rest of your guys. And as said above, When measuring for charges, move your front rank into contact or whatever and them measure out who else in the squad can get close enough to attack and move them into range. The rest of your guys, just shove them at the back wherever, doesn't really matter at that point.

With how fast chaff and stuff dies in this edition I don't think being so hung up on model movement is worth it. you're 30 man chaff unit you painstakingly positioned last turn is completely wiped out this turn...

Depends on the style of try and the type of terrain. And you can always take them out of the tray when that comes up. Its no more effort to than moving them normally. And why spend all that time measuring and moving guys if they're just going to die as chaff anyway?

Reading about this is giving me flashbacks to 8th wfb, which while enjoyable for those who had armies, was devastating for attracting new players.

"I have to buy HOW many models to start playing?"
"Wait, I spent six weeks putting those together and painting them, and you just killed them all in one turn."

I notice that Primaris Marines, which seem to be aimed at newer players, have multiple wounds etc. so this may be GW trying to address that a little

Lmao some decent suggestions, thanks guys. To everyone recommending movement trays I realize I named them wrong (Said model trays) but it always makes me laugh how few people read the opening post. The first comment was literally movement trays -.-

I think I'll stick with what I've been doing and a couple suggested and just measure marker points from the squad and fill in the bubble. If anyone else has non-movement tray related suggestions still I'll gladly hear them xD